New Brunswick has quietly hit pause on its Direct-to-Tenant Rental Benefit program after spending its full $21-million budget less than a year into the fiscal cycle. That means no new applications are being accepted, for now.
The program, launched in January 2024, offered a direct subsidy to low-income renters to help cover monthly rent costs. More than 6,100 households had already received support by May, including families, people with disabilities and seniors.
Demand outpaced expectations
The volume of applications surprised policymakers. Rural communities, in particular, saw sharp uptake among seniors struggling on fixed incomes. As Edith Myers of a Beausoleil community support program told Global News, “After ten applications, we got an email that the program was being stopped.”
That sudden cutoff points to a glaring gap. Without a buffer, seniors are being forced to choose between rent and essentials like groceries, something Myers and others warn is now happening more often.
A sign of broader housing challenges
Observers say this is a symptom of a deeper problem. NB Coalition for Tenants Rights spokesperson, Matthew Hayes, traced the rush for rent aid back to the absence of rent controls during pandemic-era spikes. While the province reintroduced a 3% temporary rent cap, it’s still tied to existing tenants, while new renters don’t enjoy the same protection.
What happens next
Though applications are closed, Housing NB is still accepting referrals for two pilot streams aimed at helping those with disabilities and young people. They will also review already-submitted applications if new funding becomes available.
Behind the scenes, New Brunswick is wrestling with how to meet the need. With around 26% of its population renting, and rural areas sometimes exceeding 70% renter households, the province is grappling with affordability in real time.
The bigger picture for Canada
This isn’t just a New Brunswick issue. Provinces from coast to coast face similar risks whenever rent-support programs run dry midyear. In markets with weak tenant protections, funding shortfalls often hit the most vulnerable: seniors, people with disabilities and low-income renters alike.
Budget planners and policy-makers across Canada should see New Brunswick’s experience as a warning. Subsidy programs need both predictable funding and safeguards for renters — like stable rent guidelines — so that spurts in application demand don’t leave families stranded.
What renters should do now
If you’re a renter affected by the pause, here’s what you can do to stay informed and prepared:
- Monitor applications: Stay in touch with provincial housing authorities and local advocacy groups for updates or new funding rounds
- Document need: Keep records of income, expenses and rental burden to help support applications when programs reopen
- Push for protections: Join tenant associations or advocacy networks pressing for measures like broad rent caps and year-round supports
Bottom line
New Brunswick’s rental benefit ran out faster than anticipated, exposing cracks in Canada’s patchwork of rental assistance supports. The rush for aid highlights both the importance of reliable funding and the need for tenant protections that apply to all renters. As housing costs rise nationally, provinces should take heed and act early, especially before the next subsidy runs out.
Sources
1. Global News: N.B. rent assistance program stops taking applicants after maxing out in fiscal year, by Suzanne Lapointe (July 15, 2025)
2. Acadia Broadcasting: N.B. increases rental aid by $21M for tenants (May 20, 2025)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.